A funeral Mass for Deacon Charles Davanzo was celebrated May 25 at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Church in Ferguson. Deacon Davanzo died May 20. He was 87 years old.
Deacon Davanzo was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Backes-Davanzo. He was the father of four children, Soncerae Davanzo-Beam, Maria Davanzo-Snider, Charles Davanzo II and Patrick Davanzo Sr. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea. Deacon Davanzo was ordained to the permanent diaconate on June 7, 1997, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by then-Archbishop Justin Rigali. He was assigned and assisted the pastor at St. Bartholomew in Berkeley from 1997-2005 and then at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta until his retirement from service in 2013. Deacon Davanzo served his parishes by presiding at baptisms and funeral services, leading RCIA classes, visiting nursing homes and making Communion calls to the homebound.
